Saturday, December 17, 2011

'Tis the Season

I mentioned previously my daydream about winning the lottery and then donating it all to charity, after which the deed, having made national news, would have inspired
millions of people to follow suit in giving a little, their combined
donations adding up to a lot. Well, that dream has now partially come
true.

No, I didn't win the lottery; I don't even play. But I read this rather
inspiring news story recently, about three money managers who won a $250+ million lottery
and are now moving forward with plans on how to distribute the money
toward philanthropy. Speculation is that these three men are actually
representing an anonymous client, the true lottery winner, who
had the heart to give and needed their brains to figure out how to do so
most effectively. But no matter. Whatever the case, it's an inspiring
story.

It's already old news, however, and it didn't change the world. Even so, I've
decided to follow through in doing my part, letting the story inspire me
to make a modest donation this season to Invisible Children.

The San Diego-based organization "uses film, creativity and social action to end the
use of child soldiers in Joseph Kony's rebel war and restore
LRA-affected communities in Central Africa to peace and prosperity." They were also a participant in the San Diego Foundation's giveBIG matchday event this past week (sorry, it's over now, folks). You can go to their website for more info or to make a contribution.